Spontaneity. Big word. I'm not even sure if I spelled it right.

You're sitting at the computer and you were going to write about something, but nothing's coming. Maybe it's the middle of the night or the middle of the day. Doesn't matter. What does matter is this: In order for this suggestion to work, you can't be in a hurry.

In fact, if you are in a hurry and you quickly clicked over here to spur on your creative juices, I hereby give you my blessing to take the day off. Sometimes you just need to walk away from the online diary before you can write in it.

If you're not in a hurry, read on. It doesn't matter if you're sitting there in front of the computer in your jammies or your undies. (You might want to tentatively reach nearby for a pair of pants or your coat or your shoes, though.)

Breath of Fresh Air

When was the last time you just went somewhere without thinking about it? If you're like me, you have itineraries. You have to work forty days a week and you have a date tomorrow night and there's something on TV you don't want to miss and you need to be over at a friend's house this weekend and... when was the last time you gave your parent's a phone call huh? Everyone seems to want a piece of you.

Not today. You're going out.

When you're done reading this page, quit your browser, disconnect from the 'net and shut down your computer. Throw some clothes on if needed. Don't worry that you haven't taken a shower in the last twelve hours. Big deal. It's not like you're going anywhere special. Grab your keys, a notepad, pen and your usual essentials, and walk out the door.

Be out of the house in under twenty minutes after you turn off the computer. Don't worry about what you look like. I don't recommend calling anyone to take with you unless you know they are ready to drop everything and go with you. You'll find yourself waiting for them. That'll mess this up.

Having a plan of some sort before you walk out the door of where you want to go is cheating. Don't even think about where you're going until you get in the car.

Don't have a car? That's okay. Just walk. Just explore your neighborhood. Try to find a street that you haven't walked down recently and see where it takes you. Take mental note of what you observe. Be it a butterfly on a flower or a conversation you get into with neighbors or just the smell of the air and the feel of the breeze on your back.

If nothing happens, imagine what you wish could happen, or go up to those people you've never met before and just introduce yourself. Make something happen.

If you have a car, going to a restaurant or a movie theatre is cheating, unless you haven't done either in at least three months. Find the nearest highway and just drive. (But not too far!)

Go some place you've never been. Try to pick a place that looks safe. I mean if you're by yourself you don't want to walk into a seedy poolhall in a dangerous part of town. Maybe drive to some hotel and go in there and just walk around. If you're of age, buy a drink at the bar and take in the scenery. Enjoy the smells and the sounds.

Maybe go to a serious looking government building and stand around in the foyer purposefully trying to look suspicious, just to see how long it takes before a security dude asks you to leave. Maybe go to a park and watch children play and lovers suck face. Try to smile a lot. Look for things that make you smile. Take note of them.

You did bring the pad of paper and a pen, right?

No Can Do

Can't follow the above directions?

Set a day for yourself in the near future that is just for you. Bookmark this page and remember to refer to it the morning of that day. Don't plan what you're going to do with that day other than read this page and follow the directions.

And if you have the time to write a journal entry today but don't feel motivated to actually go out, just imagine following the directions above. If you could leave the house, where would you go? What would you do? What are some things you'd like to go do but have not done?

Well if you got down this far you've should be just about ready to head out the door. Good luck to you. Remember to observe everything that happens around you, jot down whatever comes to mind, and if nothing happens either comment on the nothing and what that makes you feel, or make something happen.

And if after you do all this you're still stuck for words, come back next time and we'll try something else.